Mind your steps, Ambali advises young people

A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, has advised young people to always take things easy if they want to go far and do well in life.

Prof. Ambali gave this advice last Tuesday (November 6, 2023) in a chat with UNILORIN BULLETIN at his residence in Ilorin.

The former Vice Chancellor, who headed the Better By Far University from 2012 to 2017 as its nineth Chief Executive, said that the way young people mindlessly pursue wealth, positions and fame nowadays needed to be reduced for their own sanity. 

Prof. Ambali reminded young people that nothing can be achieved without the permission of the Almighty Allah and that when a mission or desire is pursued in moderation the consequences of such are always joyous and enduring.

He enjoined young people not to destroy or tarnish the image of others in their bid to realise their desires. He pointed out that when anyone destroys somebody on his way to higher heights he  would be paid back in his own coins sooner or later, saying that no action of a man would go unrewarded.

Prof. Ambali also enjoined staff of the University of Ilorin and workers of other establishments  to always put in their best into whatever responsibilities they are assigned, advising that “we must always give every opportunity that comes our way our maximum best as if it is the last job we would do”.

Speaking on life after office, the founding Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, said that he had immediately after his tenure as the Vice Chancellor adjusted and adapted to the situations of things because his expectations from individuals had always been minimal.

Prof. Ambali advised those who are privileged not to offer favours in expectations of anything from their beneficiaries. He added that such favours should be done as a form of service to humanity and not as a bargain for anything, saying that “you should do your bit without looking back”.

The former Vice Chancellor added that every public official must know that the number of individuals who trooped in and out of his office and house on daily basis would be drastically reduced as soon as his tenure of office is concluded because what those individuals are looking for are no longer within his province.

He added that the behavioural pattern of abandoning favour dispenser as soon as his tenure of office is concluded is not unusual as it didn’t just start, saying that it is left for those who are holding one public office or the other to be prepared ahead by ensuring that they do only the right things and those they can always defend.

On the series of success the University recorded during his tenure, Prof. Ambali thanked all those who worked with him at the University for their resourcefulness and dedication to duties.

The former Vice Chancellor added that the little he was able to achieve was due to the support extended to him by the Principal Officers and the rest of the staff of the University who worked with him and the peace he enjoyed from other members of the University community.

Prof. Ambali appealed to the staff and students of the University to continue to support and cooperate with the current administration of the University led by Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for the University to remain the nation’s most sought-after.